[notice]Friday 9 March (6-9pm) We have another wonderful free event for all ages surrounding our Hajj exhibition.[/notice]

The Museum will turn into a piazza of free performance and activities celebrating pilgrimage and spiritual journeys. There is something for all ages. Visitors can:

• Listen to traditional oud music in the Islamic world Gallery and the Al Farabi ensemble performing classical Arab Sufi music in the Great Court.
• Be entertained by traditional Arab storytelling and learn to play Sufi rhythms in frame-drum workshops.
• Watch the premiere of a contemporary dance performance inspired by Hajj, and an excerpt from Khayaal Theatre Company’s award-winning production of ‘Conference of the Birds’.
• Try on costumes and headdresses from the tribes of Saudi Arabia, have a henna tattoo painted on your hand, make and decorate your own prayer beads and practice Arabic calligraphy using traditional tools and materials.
• Learn about the British Muslim experience of Hajj in a talk by Sean McLoughlin and plot your own journey on a world map.
• Join Wajid Hussain for a poetry writing workshop and performance. Bring along your own pilgrimage souvenirs and share your stories with others.

Explore the Museum’s collection, take part in these fantastic events and enjoy refreshments with friends.

*The exhibition Hajj: journey to the heart of Islam is open until 20:30. Tickets £12, children under 16 free

The link to the event website is here.

http://www.britishmuseum.org/whats_on/events_calendar/march_2012/hajj_late.aspx?utm_source=enewsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_content=open&utm_campaign=hajjlate

People can invite their followers or friends to the event on Facebook http://ow.ly/9b2OK

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The weavers who make the textiles for the Ka’ba will be giving demonstrations at the Museum. The demonstrations will be free of charge and will take place alongside our exciting mid-term holiday programme themed on Arabian Journeys.  If you are able to promote these to your database and on your website, that would be much appreciated. It is such a unique opportunity to meet these master craftsmen and to simply have a great week with the family. The exhibition of course is free for children under 16.
Demonstrations: Weaving the sacred textiles
Tuesday 14 – Friday 17 February, 11.00-13.00, 14.00-16.00
British Museum. FREE, just drop in

Textile weavers from the Dar al-Kiswa in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, will present free demonstrations revealing the art of producing the richly embroidered textiles that are used to cover the Ka‘ba. New textile coverings for the Ka’ba are made each year and changed during Hajj. Master weaver Hassan Alwany  along with special equipment and textiles will be creating examples of the beautiful textiles which today adorn the Ka’ba.

Free mid-term family activities: Arabian encounters
Monday 13 – Friday 17 February 11.00–16.00
British Museum. FREE, just drop in
Encounter the cultures of Arabia in a week of special activities. Help build a huge landscape map of this arid region and create your own colourful compass to set you on your way. Develop your Arabic, take on a role and discover many fascinating facts in one of the travellers’ tales sessions. Suitable for all ages.